Overview

Shoulder bursae

Shoulder bursae

Bursae are small fluid-filled sacs that reduce friction between moving parts in your body's joints. Shoulder bursitis is inflammation or irritation of a bursa (shown in blue) in your shoulder.

Elbow bursa

Elbow bursa

Bursae are small fluid-filled sacs that reduce friction between moving parts in your body's joints. Elbow bursitis is inflammation or irritation of the bursa (shown in blue) in your elbow.

Hip bursae

Hip bursae

Bursae are small fluid-filled sacs that reduce friction between moving parts in your body's joints. Hip bursitis is inflammation or irritation of one or more of the bursae (shown in blue) in your hip.

Knee bursae

Knee bursae

Bursae are small fluid-filled sacs (shown in blue) that reduce friction between moving parts in your body's joints. Knee bursitis is inflammation or irritation of one or more of the bursae in your knee.

Bursitis (bur-SY-tis) is a painful condition that affects the small, fluid-filled sacs — called bursae (bur-SEE) — that cushion the bones, tendons and muscles near your joints. Bursitis occurs when bursae become inflamed.

The most common locations for bursitis are in the shoulder, elbow and hip. But you can also have bursitis by your knee, heel and the base of your big toe. Bursitis often occurs near joints that perform frequent repetitive motion.

Treatment typically involves resting the affected joint and protecting it from further trauma. In most cases, bursitis pain goes away within a few weeks with proper treatment, but recurrent flare-ups of bursitis are common.

Symptoms

If you have bursitis, the affected joint might:

Feel achy or stiff

Hurt more when you move it or press on it

Look swollen and red

When to see a doctor

Consult your doctor if you have:

Disabling joint pain

Sudden inability to move a joint

Excessive swelling, redness, bruising or a rash in the affected area

Sharp or shooting pain, especially when you exercise or exert yourself

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